Content scheduling for fantasy gaming

ABSTRACT

A user database includes information concerning at least one entity of interest. A program database includes multimedia content information associated with items of multimedia content and including a temporal interval during which the items of multimedia content are available. A presentation scheduling facility is communicatively coupled to the user database and the program database. The presentation scheduling facility is configured to determine a number of items of multimedia content that are associated with the at least one entity of interest based on the information concerning the at least one entity of interest and the multimedia content information, and configured to provide a scheduling screen containing identifications of the determined number of items of multimedia content.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Fantasy games are a competition among fantasy team owners/managers whoare typically participants (i.e., individual persons) in a club orfantasy league organization. Common fantasy games include football,baseball, and basketball, among others. Indeed, any organizedcompetitive endeavor may be modeled in a fantasy game.

Each fantasy team owner selects players from a “real-life” competitiveleague (e.g., the National Football League), to create a “fantasy” teamthat will compete with other fantasy teams throughout the season. Playerselection is usually performed in an auction or a draft which allowsfantasy owners to place valuations on each player for purposes of thefantasy competition. Fantasy team owners can perform various actionswith their teams that mimic the actions available to real-life teamowners. For example, players may be traded during the season betweenfantasy owners, players who were not previously selected may be obtainedas “free agents,” and underperforming players may be “waived”.

Once the season starts, fantasy team point accumulation may begin. Eachof the players selected may accumulate or take away points from theirfantasy team based on their real-world performance. For example, in afootball fantasy league, where a player in the real-world makes atouchdown, six (6) points may be given to the fantasy team that hasenrolled that particular player. However, if the same player were tothrow an interception, minus two (−2) points are given to the fantasyteam that has enrolled that particular player. In this way, each of thereal-world players contributes to the fantasy team each week of play.

In general, team owners desire to observe games in which their selectedplayers will be performing. However, watching as many games as possiblerequires a heavy burden upon the team owner to locate the networkprogramming and track the times of each event. This is particularlyfrustrating when games overlap such that the team owner must choosebetween, or in some cases switch between multiple channels periodically.Moreover, live tracking of a team owner's progress during the day is notprovided with simple television coverage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example of a content distribution system.

FIG. 2 is an example of a fantasy gaming system supporting performancescheduling.

FIG. 3 is a partial record view of an example of a user fantasy databasefor use with the system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial record view of an example of a player and teamdatabase for use with the system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a partial record view of an example of a program database foruse with the system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary user input device for use with the system of FIG.1.

FIG. 7 is a first example of a schedule screen.

FIG. 8 is a second example of a schedule screen.

FIG. 9 is an example of a process flow for generating a presentationschedule based on fantasy information.

FIG. 10 is a third example of a schedule screen.

FIG. 11 is an example of a process flow for determining current gamesassociated with a user's players of interest.

FIG. 12 is an example of a process flow for permitting a user to obtainaccess to media content that is not available in the user's subscriptionlevel.

FIG. 13 is a first example of a screen including real-time statisticalinformation.

FIG. 14 is a second example of a screen including real-time statisticalinformation.

FIG. 15 is a process flow for reporting real-time statistics for usewith the system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 16 is a third example of a screen including real-time statisticalinformation.

FIG. 17 is a fourth example of a screen including real-time statisticalinformation.

FIG. 18 is a fifth example of a screen including real-time statisticalinformation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, illustrative embodiments are shown indetail. Although the drawings represent the embodiments, the drawingsare not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated tobetter illustrate and explain an embodiment. Further, the embodimentsdescribed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limit orrestrict the invention to the precise form and configuration shown inthe drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description.

As discussed herein, “multimedia content” (or simply “media content”) isinclusive of audio, video and related data (e.g., metadata, controlinformation, interactive gaming information), whether provided as astream or in bulk (e.g., a file). As discussed herein, “video” isinclusive of visual imagery (static and moving) and any audio signalsand other information signals that may be associated with such video(e.g., an NTSC-formatted transmitted television signal, an MPEGformatted multimedia transmission, closed captioning information, etc.).

Also as discussed herein, “databases” are repositories for informationor content and physically may take the form of one or more storage mediawhich may be incorporated into one or more physical systems (and, in thecase of multiple physical systems, may be deployed in a distributedfashion over multiple locations), as is well known. Furthermore,databases may take the form of any well known data model and use anywell known underlying technology (e.g., unstructured file systems, flatfiles, relational databases, object-oriented databases, XML databases,hierarchical structures, etc.). References herein to a “record” or“field” in a database are intended to include information that may bestored across any number of data structures within such models (e.g.,tables, objects, files), but may be collectively retrievable using wellknown data manipulation/querying techniques. Thus, the depiction of dataherein as linear/unitary “records” and “fields” is for clarity ofdescription only, and not intended to be limiting.

Also as discussed herein, a “person of interest”, “player of interest,”“entity of interest” or the like, may include a sports player (e.g., abaseball player, a football player, a coach, a manager, etc.), a groupof players (e.g., a team), a “virtual” player (e.g., a virtual avatar,an avatar operating in a virtual/gaming world or a metaverse), or anautonomous entity engaged in game play (e.g., robots in a competition,simulated/computer-controlled player programs, artificial intelligencedevices or routines, etc.) In general, a person of interest may include,for example, any identifiable entity engaged in a competitiveenvironment.

Also as discussed herein, “real-word,” “real-life” or “real” activityrefer to activities engaged in by players of interest in the actualfield of competitive activity that forms the basis for the fantasy game.For example, for sports-based fantasy games, the “real-word” wouldconstitute sporting leagues that conduct sporting events in which theplayers of interest participate and accumulate statistics that are usedto determine fantasy game performance. As another example, for computergame based fantasy games, the “real world” would constitute the gaming“world” in which the competing entities (e.g., avatars, computersimulated entities) accumulate statistics that are used to determinefantasy game performance.

The preferred embodiments described herein implement a system and methodthat includes facilities to compile media programming schedulinginformation associated with a user's fantasy teams/players and togenerate presentation schedule information which can used by the user toplan viewing activity or schedule recording (for example, using adigital video recorder (DVR)). The user may also modify the generatedpresentation schedule through filtering options, such as based oncertain players, positions or relative importance. In some embodiments,where there are games that are not available to the user due to theuser's current subscription level, the user may be given the opportunityto upgrade the subscription level so that the unavailable games maybecome available. In some embodiments, a real-time statisticalinformation facility is included that may provide real-time statisticalinformation regarding the user's players, the user's team as a whole,and user's team's relative performance against opposing fantasy teams,such that a real-time picture of the user's team in comparison to theirpeers is possible, and the user may prioritize viewing/recordingdecisions.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred system 100 in which the embodiments describedherein may be implemented. Content providers 110, 112, 114 provide mediacontent inputs (e.g., video, audio, gaming data) to system 100. Themedia content may be in the form of live streams or delayed/bulkdelivered content (e.g., “on-demand” content). Providers 110, 112, 114may be entities that include general content providers (e.g., nationalbroadcasting networks), specialized content providers (e.g., sportsnetworks, financial networks, sports leagues or teams, video gamingproviders), or simply archival inputs (e.g., tape/digital video disc(DVD)).

Communications links 120 connect each of providers 110, 112, 114 withdistribution system 125. Communications links 120 may include any typeof communications channel that allows for the flow of content todistribution system 125. Moreover, communications links 120 may includea combination of different physical communications facilities that mayinclude, but is not limited to, digital transmissions elements, analogtransmission elements, wired, wireless, and optical transmissionmediums, as is well known.

Distribution system 125 receives the media content from each provider110, 112, 114 and distributes the media content to access networks 180.Distribution system 125 may include a number of well-known elements,such as electrical, optical and or wireless networks, routers, switches,multiplexers, demultiplexers, encoders, decoders, compressors,decompressors, etc., for delivery of video content in analog and/ordigital format. Distribution network 125 may also include facilities forbi-directional transmission of media content, for example, in InternetProtocol format. In the preferred embodiment, the distribution system125 is the Verizon® FiOS TV distribution system.

Access networks 180 may include any network or networking technology,including: packet-switched networks (e.g., Ethernet, Internet Protocol,Asynchronous Transfer Mode), cable television networks (e.g., hybridfiber-coax network), wireless networks (e.g., a satellite broadcastingnetwork, terrestrial broadcasting network, wireless communicationsnetwork, wireless LAN), telephone networks (e.g., the Public SwitchedTelephone Network), a provider-specific network (e.g., a TiVo network),an optical fiber network (e.g., a Passive Optical Network), or any othersuitable network or combination of networks. In the preferredembodiment, the access network 180 includes at least one of the Verizon®FiOS network and the Verizon Wireless® wireless network.

One or more user systems 181 are connected to access network 180. Eachuser system 181 generally includes a media content processing subsystem184, a display 182 and a user input device 186. An exemplary mediacontent processing subsystem 184 may include any combination ofhardware, software, and firmware configured to process media content. Asused herein, the term “media content processing subsystem” refersexpansively to all possible receivers that receive and process digitaland/or analog media content. Hence, an exemplary media contentprocessing subsystem 184 may include, but is not limited to, a set-topbox (“STB”), home communication terminal (“HCT”), digital homecommunication terminal (“DHCT”), stand-alone personal video recorder(“PVR”), DVD player, video-enabled phone, gaming platform, and personalcomputer (e.g., a home theater PC (“HTPC”)).

Media content processing subsystem 184 includes interfaces for receivingaudio, video, and data from access network 180, and may be configured toprocess received media content, including causing the media content, orone or more components thereof (e.g., video, audio and/or datacomponents), to be presented for experiencing (e.g., viewing) by a user.Media content processing subsystem 184 may use any suitable technologyor technologies to receive media content from access network 180,including using a tuner to receive the media content, usingdemodulating, decoding and/or demultiplexing facilities, and usingdecompression and/or rendering facilities. Media content processingsubsystem 184 may further include interfaces for output of media contentto presentation devices for experience by the user (e.g., viewing,listening). For example, the media content processing subsystem 184 mayprovide a signal to a display device 182 (e.g., a television, computermonitor, a mobile phone display, etc.) so that the display device 182may present (e.g., display) the media content for experiencing by theuser.

Media content processing subsystem 184 may also include interfaces forreceiving user inputs via user input device 186, allowing the user tocontrol and provide information to media content processing subsystem184. Such interfaces may be wired or wireless. An exemplary input device186 is shown in FIG. 6 in the form of an wireless remote control forcontrolling display of video content provided either live or fromrecording. For example, a left button 649, right button 650, up button651, down button 652, and select button 653 may be included andconfigured to enable the user to navigate through various channels ofmedia content, views and graphical user interfaces displayed by thedisplay device 182. It will be recognized that input device 186 shown inFIG. 6 is merely illustrative of the many different types of user inputdevices that may be used in connection with the present systems andmethods. For example, other types of input devices may be used for userinput(s) 186 including, but not limited to, remote controls, keyboards,touch screens, and/or discrete button inputs.

In the preferred embodiment, media content processing subsystem 184includes an interactive program guide facility and a digital videorecorder (DVR) facility. The interactive program guide facility may beconfigured to receive program guide information from access network 180and display program guide information, such that the user can navigateand select desired media content. The DVR facility allows users torecord media content. The integrated program guide facility and DVRfacility may be configured such that a user may use the program guide toselect media content for recording, determine which media content hasbeen designated for recording and display the media content that hasalready been recorded.

While an exemplary user system 181, user inputs 186, display 182, andmedia content processing subsystem 184 are shown in FIG. 1, theexemplary components illustrated in FIG. 1 are not intended to belimiting. Indeed, additional or alternative components and/orimplementations may be used.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary implementation of a fantasy gamingpresentation scheduling system 160, according to a preferred embodiment.Scheduling system 160 may be integrated within distribution system 125(see FIG. 1), media content processing subsystem 184, or both (withcomponents thereof distributed across both as desired).

Exemplary scheduling system 160 includes a user fantasy database 164,which is generally a repository for information related to a user and auser's fantasy team information. Turning to FIG. 3, an exemplary userfantasy database 164 configured to store fantasy team data isillustrated. The exemplary user fantasy database 164 comprises aplurality of records 302 ₁-302 _(N), each of which may include a useridentifier 310, user players 312 ₁-312 _(N), a user portal identifier314, a subscription level 320, and subscribed devices identifiers 322.User identifier 310 is preferably a unique identifier or code assignedto each user and allows an index into user fantasy database 164. Userplayers 312 ₁-312 _(N) are a plurality of unique player identifiers,which may be used to identify which persons of interest (e.g. individualplayers, teams) are associated with a particular user's fantasy team, orwhich the user may have an interest in monitoring. User portal 314 mayspecify a particular fantasy service provider 150 (further describedbelow) which the user is using to play the fantasy game, as well asother information associated with the user's account at the fantasyservice provider 150 (e.g., user id, password, team name, league name,etc.).

Subscription level 320 describes the subscription “package” or depth ofprogramming available to the user. Examples may include a “local”package where only local games of interest are available for viewing.Alternatively, there may be regional or unlimited subscriptions. Theregional subscription may allow a user to access media contentassociated with a particular geographic region, while the unlimitedsubscription would, for example, provide a user with access to all mediacontent at any time. Subscription level 320 may be used by system 160 aspart of the scheduling process to determine which programming a user canaccess (or whether the user is given the opportunity to upgrade thesubscription level 320 to obtain access to unavailable content), as isfurther described below.

FIG. 4 is a partial record view of an example of a player and teamdatabase 128 for use with the system of FIG. 2. Player and team database128 includes a player ID 332 (corresponding to player identifier 312 ofFIG. 3) which uniquely describes a particular player. A team ID 333uniquely identifies the team that player ID 332 is associated with. Aposition ID 334 indicates what position the player is assigned to (e.g.,a quarterback or a running back). Metadata 336 can include informationsuch as the player's name and the player's team name, as wellmiscellaneous information related to the player identified by playeridentifier 332 (such as a starting date with a team). Alternatively,system 160 may pull information regarding the players and teams fromfantasy provider 150 (see below) directly without regard to player andteam database 128. In another alternative example, where player and teamdatabase 128 is queried and a record does not exist, player and teamdatabase 128 may attempt to populate a new record based on the unfilledrequest by querying fantasy provider 150 and accumulating the recordinformation. In this way, player and team database 128 may beauto-populated with information.

Turning to FIG. 5, an example of a program database 126 is shown.Program database 126 is generally a repository including multimediaprogram listing information. The listing information may includeinformation regarding a temporal interval during which a multimediaprogram will be available to a population generally, or to a particularuser based on the user's subscription level. The temporal interval mayinclude a time, date, and/or duration related to the multimedia program.For example, a multimedia program listing may include a time and datethat a sporting event will be televised. In another example where themultimedia program is an audio program rather than an audio/visualprogram, the multimedia program listing may include a time and date thatan audio-only program (e.g., a radio show or a music event) will beavailable through internet protocol transmission, radio, cable, or othertransmission mediums.

As shown in FIG. 5, an exemplary record of program database 126associated with an item of media content, such as record 502 ₁, mayinclude a program identifier field 510, a program location field 511, aprogram start time 512, a program duration field 514, and a metadatafield 516. Program identifier field 510 may be a alphanumeric field thatcan store a unique identifier for the instance of media content. Programlocation field 511 stores a location identifier which can be used tolocate the content within distribution system 125. For example, programlocation 511 may correspond to a channel number, frequency number,network address, call letters, provider identifier, or other coding.Program duration field 514 describes the time length of the mediacontent program and may be useful in determining how much time isrequired to watch the content, how much bandwidth is required totransport the content, etc. Metadata field 516 can include informationabout the program, which may include, for example, the game type (e.g.,football, basketball, baseball, etc.), team names, player names, etc.Metadata field 516 may include information provided from providers 110,112, 114 (see FIG. 1), including the teams playing, date of performance,duration of performance, and players active in the game, etc. However,metadata 516 may also include additional or enhanced informationdetermined after being processed by system 100. As will be furtherdescribed below, program database 126 may be queried to determinecurrently-playing or upcoming programming associated with particularplayers.

The databases 126, 128, 164 may be separate systems or may be partiallyor fully combined into a single system. Likewise, the databases 126, 128and 164 may be located within distribution system 125, connected todistribution system 125 or access network 180, or within individualmedia content processing subsystems 184. The configuration beingdependent on the needs of the service provider and capabilities of theequipment/networks involved.

Referring again to FIG. 2, system 160 may be connected to a fantasyservice provider 150 which provides access to fantasy sports informationrelated to a particular user. Fantasy service provider 150 may be partof the organization that provides system 160 (or system 100), or may bea separate entity. Fantasy service provider 150 may provide theunderlying game logic and/or statistical information used in playing thefantasy game, and may also provide user interfaces that permit users toperform control actions with respect to their fantasy teams. Wherefantasy service provider 150 is the same organization that is providingsystems 100/160, the underlying game logic and user control interfacesmay be integrated into the elements of system 100 (e.g., a menu-typedisplay on a set top box (STB) that allows a user to enter their fantasysports selections).

A fantasy interface 152 provides an interface to fantasy serviceprovider 150 in order to receive information from and/or transmitinformation to fantasy service provider 150. In some embodiments,fantasy interface 152 includes security facilities and may perform dataverification (e.g., where fantasy service provider 150 is a third-partyand the connection is through a public network). For example, a user maybe using a partner web-based fantasy gaming site that operates a fantasyfootball game. In this case, fantasy interface 152 will retrieveperiodically (or at set times, such as immediately before the start ofgame play) the information related to that user's fantasy team (e.g., acurrent roster, currently active players) and populate user fantasydatabase 164 with such information. The current roster will allow system100 to identify persons of interest to that user. In one alternative,where tighter integration is achieved between fantasy service provider150 and fantasy interface 152, a facility may be available thatautomatically sends modifications/updates registered at fantasy serviceprovider 150 to fantasy interface 152 on a real-time basis.

System 160 further includes a scheduling manager 190. Scheduling manager190 handles the determination and provisioning of a presentationschedule to a user via media content processing subsystem 184, using theinformation stored in user fantasy database 164, player and teamdatabase 128 and program database 126. Scheduling manager 190 may beimplemented at a user's media content processing subsystem 184 or may beimplemented in another device within or connected to distribution system125.

An exemplary method performed using system 160 (for example, inscheduling manager 190) is illustrated by FIG. 9. The process begins atstep 910, where a user invokes the scheduling facility in order todetermine a presentation schedule based on the user's fantasy team andplayers of interest. This may be pursuant to an input received frominput device 186 requesting the scheduling service, for example, througha dedicated button or through an interface provided through mediacontent processing subsystem 184. In step 920, the user's team andplayers of interest are retrieved from user fantasy database 164 (seeFIG. 2). In some cases, user fantasy database 164 may need to berefreshed so that the most current player entity information isavailable (for example, just before games begin or when a team changelock-out period begins). If a refresh is requested, user fantasydatabase 164 may update the information using fantasy interface 152 andfantasy provider 150. When the user's team and players are retrieved,control proceeds to step 930.

At step 930, program database 126 is used to determine those items ofmedia content available through distribution system 125 that areassociated with the persons of interest for the user's team. As anexample, user player fields 312 ₁-312 _(N) of record 302, (see FIG. 3)are matched with player identifiers 332 in player and team database 128to determine a team name 333 (see FIG. 4). The team identifier 333 maythen be used to query program database 126 to determine what mediacontent programs include games in which the player is currentlyparticipating or will be in the future. When a player's team is matchedwith metadata 516 (shown in FIG. 5), the listing information associatedwith the media content—for example, the program identifier 510, programlocation 511, program start time 512, program duration 514 and metadata516 are retrieved. Control then proceeds to step 940.

At step 940, the process determines whether each player and/or teamidentified by user player fields 312 ₁-312 _(N) (see FIG. 3) has beenprocessed. If all players have not been processed, control proceeds tostep 930 where the media search continues with the next playeridentified by user player fields 312 ₁-312 _(N). Once all players havebeen processed, control proceeds to step 950.

At step 950, a schedule screen is provided. FIG. 7 shows one example ofa schedule screen 700 which indicates a presentation schedule based onthe user's fantasy team. Exemplary schedule screen 700 includes afantasy roster 710, including a listing of the players of interestassociated with the user's fantasy team. The listing may be sorted, forexample, by player name or position. As shown in FIG. 7, fantasy roster710 is sorted by positions associated with a football team (e.g.,quarterback (QB), running back (RB), wide receiver (WR), tight end (TE)and place kicker (PK)). Also included in screen 700 is a presentationlineup 720, which includes a plurality of gaming events available to theuser for viewing or recording. As shown in FIG. 7, presentation lineup720 includes a number of game listings 722, each having a game title 724(e.g., New York vs. Chicago) and a game time 726. Game listings 722 maybe presented as a linear list of entries; where more games are availablethan can be shown on a screen, selection buttons may be pressed at userinput(s) 186 (shown in FIG. 1) that allow the user to scroll as shownwith scroll up icon 730 and scroll down icon 732.

FIG. 8 shows another example of a schedule screen. Schedule screen 800as shown in FIG. 8 also includes a fantasy roster 710 and a presentationlineup 720. In this example, fantasy roster is grouped by the item ofvideo content in which the player of interest will be appearing.Presentation lineup 720 is arranged in a grid-like display, such thatthe temporal aspects of the items of media content can be seen. Thisscreen 800 may be useful in determining which items of media contentinclude the most number of players of interest, and how best to staggerviewing times to maximize player viewing. Screen 700 and screen 800 maybe combined to generate screens with some or all of the elementsdepicted therein.

After the presentation schedule screen has been displayed, at step 960,the user may choose an item of media content to view and/or record. Forexample, the user may use the input device 186 to navigate through thepresentation lineup 720 and select items of video content to view now,or schedule for recording by, for example, the DVR facility of mediacontent processing subsystem 184. Presentation lineup 720 may then showfor those items of media content that are selected for viewing/recordingan indication of that selection (e.g., different color/shading, specialsymbol, etc.). In some embodiments, the scheduling manager 190 mayinclude a facility to automatically generate an optimalviewing/recording setup based on criteria, such as achieving viewing ofthe most number of players of interest, by player rankings, etc. In suchcases, the results of the automatically generated viewing/recordingdetermination may be illustrated on the viewing lineup 720, and the usermay be then able to manually adjust these selections as above. FIG. 10illustrates the presentation schedule screen 800 (see FIG. 8), wherecertain items of media content have been marked for recording usingindicators 1001.

In some embodiments, criteria may be specified that allow a user tofilter out certain items of media content from the presentation lineup720. For example, a user could select to have shown only the games ofthe players of interest that have contributed to the top fifty percentof the team's overall scoring totals. In another example, a user couldselect to have shown only games involving certain positions (e.g.,quarterbacks or running backs). In yet another example, a user couldselect to have shown only games involving specifically designatedplayers. Screen 700 illustrates one interface for providing filteringcriteria. Associated with each entry in the fantasy roster 710 is aselection device 712 (e.g., a checkbox), where the user can indicatewhether the player should be included as part of the scheduledetermination (e.g., using the input device 186). Also included inscreen 700 may be an “apply filter” device 714 which may be selected bythe user to cause the scheduling manager 190 to use the filter criteriato limit the display of presentation lineup 720. For example, where theuser requests only games in which the user's quarterback(s) are playing,presentation lineup 720 may be searched for those game listings 722 thathave metadata that match those teams which include a quarterback fromthe user's fantasy roster 710. If game listing 722 does not involve ateam that includes a quarterback from the user's fantasy team, then gamelisting 722 is removed from game lineup 720. Other filtering methods arealso possible.

In some embodiments, a determination of the subscription level of theuser may be included as part of the process. For example, once an itemof media content has been determined to be associated with a person ofinterest, it may further be determined whether the item of media contentis within the user's subscription level 320. If the item of mediacontent is not available within the user's subscription level 320, thenpresentation schedule screen presented to the user may be altered. Usingthe example of schedule screen 700 for purposes of illustration,schedule screen 700 may exclude from the presentation lineup 720 anygame listings 722 corresponding to the unavailable content.Alternatively, schedule screen 700 may include game listings 722corresponding to the unavailable content in the presentation lineup 720,but may indicate the unavailability of the content (e.g., using shading,coloring, or other indicators).

In some embodiments, users may be permitted to select items of contentthat are not available within their subscription level through aninterface for purchasing an enhanced subscription level. FIG. 12 is anexample process flow 1200 for notifying a user of unavailable contentdue to a lower subscription level and providing an opportunity to obtaina higher subscription level to obtain access to the content. In step1210, it is determined whether particular items of content are withinthe user's subscription level 320. This may be performed in conjunctionwith the process described above and illustrated in FIG. 9 (or as aseparate activity). As an example, when a item of content is determinedto be associated with a user's persons of interest, the programidentifier for the content may be used to perform a check against theusers subscription level 320. This check may be performed through aquery to distribution system 125 (which may maintain records thatassociate user subscription levels and content access permissions) ormay be performed without such a query (e.g., where the subscriptionlevel itself indicates whether the content is included, where theprogram listing information itself includes an indication of thesubscription level required for access, where a user's media contentprocessing subsystem maintains this information locally, etc.).

At step 1220, an indication is provided to the user that particularitems of content are not available to the user due to the lack of asufficient subscription level. The indication may be as described above,where the unavailable content is indicated through an indicatorassociated with the game listings 722. The indication may also take theform of a message to the user (e.g., a pop-up message) that one or moreof game listings 722 ₁-722 _(N) is not available due to the user's lowsubscription level. The message may also give the user the opportunityto “upgrade” their subscription level in order to access the gamecontent. The message may include the cost and terms of any availableupgrades (for example, a one-time upgrade may have a one-time cost, apermanent upgrade may have a recurring subscription cost), and maypermit the user to select which of the unavailable content the userwishes to obtain. The messaging interface may be used in combinationwith the indicators in the presentation lineup 720 for example, once auser attempts to select a game listing 722 that has been indicated asunavailable, a message may be presented indicating unavailability andproviding the upgrade opportunity.

If the user indicates a desire to request an upgrade (step 1225), instep 1230, the user's upgrade request is sent to distribution system 125for processing. The request may be included in a message to system 125,which may cause the system 125 to access customer records associatedwith the user to ensure proper billing authorization and to setappropriate subscription level information. In step 1240, a responsefrom distribution system 125 may then indicate the new subscriptionlevel, and the presentation schedule screen may be updated to reflectthe availability of additional content based on the new subscriptionlevel. System 160 may accordingly update the user's subscription level320 in user fantasy database 164.

In some embodiments, a facility is provided to allow a user to quicklydetermine whether any media content is currently being provided overdistribution system 125 that is associated with the user's persons ofinterest. Such a facility may be useful for the user, for example, whenwatching games so that the user may quickly switch to others games whichare in progress, relevant to the user and are available to the user.FIG. 11 is an example of a process flow 1100 for determining currentlyavailable media content associated with a user's players of interest.The process begins at step 1110 where the user requests a list ofcurrent programming. This request can be received from the user via theuser input device 186, and may be available through a dedicated buttonon user input device 186 or through a selection interface (e.g.,provided via media content processing subsystem 184). At step 1120, theuser's team and players of interest are retrieved from user fantasydatabase 164 (see FIG. 2). This may be performed similarly to step 920of process 900 (see FIG. 9). At step 1130, program database 126 is usedto determine those items of video content available through distributionsystem 125 that are associated with the persons of interest for theuser's team, and which are currently available. This step may beperformed similarly to that of step 930 in process 900 (see FIG. 9),with the addition that there may also be a determination of whether theitem of content is currently available. The information associated withmatching media content—for example, the program identifier 510, programlocation 511, program start time 512, program duration 514 and programmetadata 516 are retrieved.

At step 1140, a list of currently available content (e.g., games inprogress) is compiled and provided as a schedule screen. In oneembodiment, the schedule screen 700 (see FIG. 7), may be used to displaythe currently available content, in a manner similar to that describedabove. Alternatively, the list of currently available content may bedisplayed as a small window adjacent to or overlapping with thecurrently viewed content, thus allowing the user to continue to view thecurrently viewed content while viewing/selecting other content forviewing/recording. FIG. 16 illustrates one example of such a schedulescreen 1600. In this example, a small number of game listings are shown(as well as the associated players of interest), and the user may scrollthrough each game listing to view/select the content for viewing and/orrecording. The number of game listings presented may be based on thedesired size of the schedule screen, and can encompass one game listingto all the available game listings. Furthermore, in those embodimentsthat support it, the user may be able to upgrade a subscription level toobtain access the currently playing content, similar to that describedabove.

In some embodiments, a real-time statistics facility may also beincluded in system 160, such that fantasy statistics can be presented tothe user while the user is viewing content. Providing such statisticsallows the user to track the progress of players and/or teams inreal-time both for entertainment purposes (e.g., to monitor performanceagainst other fantasy sports owners' teams) and also allows the user tomake viewing decisions based on the real-time statistics (such asviewing a different or more interesting game). As one example of such asystem. FIG. 2 includes a real-time statistics manager 192, whichprovides real-time or near real-time information to user system(s) 181regarding the current status and points standings of the user's fantasyteam and/or individual players. Real-time statistics manager 192 may bein communication with fantasy statistics database 143, which in thisexample stores statistical information related to the performance ofplayers of interest relative to the fantasy game. In other embodiments,real-time statistics manager 192 and fantasy statistics database 143 maybe combined in a single entity, and may located within distributionsystem 125, user systems 181, or a combination of the two.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a process 1500 for providing areal-time statistics facility to users. In step 1510, a request isreceived to provide the real-time statistics facility. The request cancome in multiple forms. In one arrangement, the user can provide aninput via input device 186 that requests the statistics facility (e.g.,through a dedicated button on input device 186 or an interface providedthrough media content processing subsystem 184). In other arrangements,the real-time statistics facility may be automatically requested, forexample, in connection with requesting the viewing schedule facility(described above), or selecting a particular content item from theviewing schedule screen for viewing. In step 1520, it may be determinedin what format the real-time statistics should be presented. In thepreferred embodiment, the user can have real-time statistics presentedjust for players of interest associated with the user's team, forplayers of interest of the user's team and another team's players, oraggregated statistics for multiple teams. If no selection is made, theformat may default to one of the available formats (e.g., players ofinterest only). The selection may also be made after initial display ofa particular format—the user may indicate a desire to change formats, orsuch change may occur automatically (e.g, after a period of time).

In step 1530, real-time statistics manager 192 communicates with userfantasy database 164 to retrieve fantasy player information. Real-timestatistics manager 192 may communicates with user database 164 toretrieve the user's fantasy players 312 ₁-312 _(N) and, where formatshave been selected that include other teams, the fantasy players fromthose other teams. In step 1540, real-time statistics manager 192obtains statistical information from fantasy statistical database 143associated with the fantasy players identified in step 1530. Forexample, real-time statistics manager 192 may obtain an initial set ofstatistical information from fantasy statistical database 143, and maythereafter receive updated statistical information (e.g., at the time ofupdates to fantasy statistical database 143 or at regular intervals).Examples of such statistics can be measures of performance of players(e.g., yards accumulated, runs scored, points, targets hit), pointsrelated to fantasy play (e.g., +6 for touchdown, +3 for field goal) andthe status of a player (e.g., playing, not playing, injured).

In step 1550, a real-time statistics display is provided to the user.The display can take many forms, and may be dictated by the formatselected (see Step 1520). One example of a real-time statistics displayis shown in FIG. 13. Screen 1300 may be used to show real-timeinformation about particular players of interest for various timeperiods—for example, today, the current week, and/or for an entireseason. In screen 1300, players are listed in a player column 1310 onthe left of screen 1300 and identified by their player names (e.g.,Player₁-Player_(N)). A “points today” column 1320 indicates the pointsattributed to each player listed in player column 1310. A “points total”column 1330 indicates the total points for the season for each playerlisted in player column 1310. Screen 1300 may be displayed, for example,in a corner of a display 182, such that currently viewed content maycontinue to be viewed, such as illustrated by FIG. 17.

Another example of real-time statistics display screen is show in FIG.14, which shows a screen 1400 that includes real-time information abouta user's team as compared to the user's opponents. A team column 1410shows the user's team as well as the user's opponents (e.g.,Opponent₁-Opponent_(N)). A “points today” column 1420 indicates thepoints accumulated today for each team in team column 1410. A “pointstotal” column 1430 indicates the total points for each team in teamcolumn 1410. Team column 1410 may be organized in any manner includingthe user's team at the top, alphabetically, or by “points today” 1420,or “total points” 1430. As with screen 1300 (see FIG. 13), screen 1400may be displayed, for example, in a corner of the display 182, such thatcurrently viewed content may continue to be viewed.

Another example of a real-time statistics display screen is show in FIG.18, which shows a screen 1800 that includes a “ticker” (e.g., ascrolling display) that provides statistical information. In thisexample, statistical information related to player and/or teamperformance can be shown. For example, the ticker may show currentstatistical information for players and/or teams (e.g., “Player X-6points today, 30 points this week”, “Team Y 50 points today”), and canshow the most recent updates (e.g., “Player X-touchdown, +6 points”).Screen 1800 may be positioned, for example, at the bottom of display182, to allow the user to continue to view the currently displayedcontent.

In step 1560, the contents of the real-time statistics display areperiodically updated. As described above, the real-time statisticalmanager 192 may receive updated statistical information from fantasystatistical database 143. This updated information may be presented inthe real-time statistics display, according to the format and layout ofthe display. For example, in the example of screen 1300, when astatistical update indicates that a player's points have changed, the“points today” 1320 column and “points total” 1330 column entries forthat player may be updated. Likewise, if the updated informationindicates that a team's points have changed, the entries for the team inscreen 1400 may be updated appropriately.

In some embodiments, the real-time statistics facility may provide userswith the ability to obtain additional information through the real-timestatistics display by selecting the displayed entries. For example, auser might select a particular player from player column 1310 on screen1300 using input device 186, in which case the real-time statisticalfacility can retrieve more detailed information concerning the player,such as news, status, more detailed statistical information and possiblyhighlights that are available for viewing (as described in more detailin co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed the same day asthe present application and being entitled “HIGH LIGHTS MANAGEMENT FORFANTASY GAMING,” said co-pending application being hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety). Similar details might be madeavailable through the selection of team entries in screen 1400, or theselection of a team entry may cause the real-time statistical display toswitch to screen 1300 to provide details regarding the playerscomprising the selected team.

CONCLUSION

With regard to the processes, methods, heuristics, etc. describedherein, it should be understood that although the steps of suchprocesses, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certainordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the describedsteps performed in an order other than the order described herein. Itfurther should be understood that certain steps could be performedsimultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain stepsdescribed herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions ofprocesses described herein are provided for illustrating certainexamples and should in no way be construed to limit the claimedinvention.

The processes described herein may be implemented at least in part asinstructions executable by one or more computing devices, In general, aprocessor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, e.g., from amemory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes thoseinstructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including one ormore of the processes described herein. Such instructions may be storedand transmitted using a variety of known computer-readable media (alsoreferred to as a processor-readable media). Such media may take manyforms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatilemedia, and transmission media. Non-volatile media may include, forexample, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatilemedia may include, for example, dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”),which typically constitutes a main memory. Transmission media mayinclude, for example, coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics,including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to a processor ofa computer. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves,light waves, and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generatedduring radio frequency (“RF”) and infrared (“IR”) data communications.Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppydisk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magneticmedium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, papertape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM,an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or anyother medium from which a computer can read.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. Many implementations and applicationsother than the examples provided herein would be apparent upon readingthe above description. It is anticipated and intended that futuredevelopments will occur related to the technologies discussed herein,and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated intosuch future examples. No single feature or element described herein isessential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or alater application. The scope of the invention should thus be determined,not as limited to the above description, but should instead bedetermined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fullscope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The use of thesingular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read torecite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites anexplicit limitation to the contrary. The use of “coupled” in describinga relationship between two entities should be read to mean the abilityof the two entities to exchange information in the manner contemplatedand as well known, and encompasses the use of intervening elements(e.g., networks, interfaces, conductors, data structures, methods,etc.), and does not require physical contact, proximity or directconnection, unless otherwise specified.

1. A system comprising: a user database including information concerningat least one entity of interest; a program database including multimediacontent information, said multimedia content information beingassociated with items of multimedia content and including a temporalinterval during which the items of multimedia content are available; anda presentation scheduling facility coupled to the user database and theprogram database, the presentation scheduling facility configured todetermine a number of items of multimedia content that are associatedwith the at least one entity of interest based on the informationconcerning the at least one entity of interest and the multimediacontent information, and configured to provide a scheduling screencontaining identifications of the determined number of items ofmultimedia content.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the presentationscheduling facility is further configured to receive a request to usethe presentation scheduling facility, and wherein the temporal intervalis contemporaneous with said request to use the presentation schedulingfacility.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said presentation schedulingfacility is further configured to receive a selection of one of thenumber of items of multimedia content, the selection indicating at leastone of presenting the item of multimedia content on a display andrecording the item of multimedia content.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein the at least one entity of interest includes at least one of asports player and a sports team.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein saidscheduling screen provides indications of items of multimedia contentthat are unavailable to a user.
 6. The system of claim 6, wherein saiditems of multimedia content that are unavailable to the user areunavailable because of a subscription level of the user, and wherein thepresentation schedule facility is further configured to receive anindication from the user requesting a change to the user's subscriptionlevel in order to access said unavailable multimedia content.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, further comprising a real-time statistics facilityconfigured to determine statistics associated with the at least oneentity of interest and present a real-time statistics display includingsaid statistics associated with the at least one entity of interest. 8.The system of claim 7, wherein said real-time statistics displayincludes at least one of a user's fantasy roster, and an opponent'sfantasy roster.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a playerdatabase including information concerning the at least one entity ofinterest, the information including a team with which each of the atleast one entity of interest is associated; wherein the presentationschedule facility is further configured to correlate the informationconcerning the at least one entity of interest in the user database withthe information concerning the at least one entity of interest in theplayer database to determine the team with which each of the at leastone entity of interest is associated, and to correlate the team withwhich each of the at least one entity of interest is associated with themultimedia content information to determine the multimedia content withwhich each of the at least one entity of interest is associated.
 10. Amethod, comprising: determining a number of items of multimedia contentthat are associated with at least one entity of interest based oninformation concerning the at least one entity of interest andmultimedia content information associated with said multimedia content;providing a scheduling screen containing identifications of thedetermined number of items of multimedia content.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein said at least one entity of interest includes aplurality of sports players and said items of multimedia contentconstitute sporting competitions in which at least some of saidplurality of sports players are participating.
 12. The method of claim10, further comprising: receiving a request to initiate presentationscheduling facility; wherein each of said number of items of multimediacontent are further associated with a temporal interval during whichthey are available, and wherein the temporal interval is contemporaneouswith said request to use the presentation scheduling facility.
 13. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising: receiving a selection of one ofthe number of items of multimedia content, the selection indicating atleast one of presenting the item of multimedia content on a display andrecording the item of multimedia content.
 14. The method of claim 10,further comprising: determining statistics associated with the at leastone entity of interest; and presenting a real-time statistics displayincluding said statistics associated with the at least one entity ofinterest.
 15. The method of claim 10, further comprising: providingindications of items of multimedia content that are unavailable to auser; and receiving an indication from the user requesting a change tothe user's subscription level in order to access said unavailablemultimedia content.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein determining thenumber of items of multimedia content that are associated with the atleast one entity of interest includes: correlating the informationconcerning the at least one entity of interest with informationconcerning the at least one entity of interest in a player database todetermine a real team with which each of the at least one entity ofinterest is associated, and correlating the real team with which each ofthe at least one entity of interest is associated with the multimediacontent information.
 17. A method comprising: determining a number ofplayers associated with a fantasy team, each of said number of playersassociated with a real team within a real-life sports league;determining a number of media content items associated with the numberof players, including using the real team associated with each of saidnumber of players to query multimedia content information; presentingidentifiers of said number of media content items associated with thenumber of players; and receiving a user input to select one of saidnumber of media content items, wherein said selection indicates at leastone of a request to view said selected one of said number of mediacontent items or a request to record said selected one of said number ofmedia content items.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:displaying a media content item at the same time as presentingidentifiers of said number of media content items associated with thenumber of players.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:filtering said identifiers of said number of media content itemsassociated with the number of players based on user criteria.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising: displaying real-time statisticalinformation associated with the number of players at the same time aspresenting identifiers of said number of media content items associatedwith the number of players.